Editorial - University officials say more guns on campus lead to more risk of harm

Published: Wednesday, May 1, 2013 at 11:31 p.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, May 1, 2013 at 11:31 p.m.

State lawmakers won’t be the ones under fire, so to speak, should a shooting occur on a college campus. University chancellors and police forces will be, because they are responsible to ensure the safety of their students, faculty and staff. The Honorables need to let those officials determine the best way to ensure that safety.

Instead, Republican leaders in the General Assembly seem determined to push through legislation putting more guns on campus, a proposal that University of North Carolina system officials, including UNCW Chancellor Gary Miller, worry could make their campuses more dangerous places.

UNC President Tom Ross has asked the General Assembly to remove public universities from a bill that would expand the number of places where concealed weapons are permitted. House Bill 937 also would allow guns into establishments that serve alcoholic beverages – not a smart combination. At least in that case the sponsors would grant restaurant and bar owners the option to prohibit concealed weapons on their property.

But university officials responsible for the security of tens of thousands of college students and employees would not have that right. The bill, which was on Wednesday’s House calendar, would allow guns locked out of sight in cars on all state government property, including public universities and community colleges.

Ross’ objections are shared by other UNC system chancellors including Miller, who issued a statement making his position clear:

“The potential increase in gun-related incidents on campus is simply not worth the minimal convenience this bill would offer concealed-carry permit holders,” Miller said in a written statement. “Allowing people to store weapons in their cars does not in any way benefit their personal safety while on campus; the idea of people having the time and capacity to retreat to their vehicles to arm themselves during a threat has very little chance of occurring.”

He’s right, as is Ross.

Moreover, public colleges and universities have thousands of people coming and going each day. Campuses are open to the public, and there is no automatic buzzer that points out the potential troublemakers. Car break-ins are common on college campuses. Do campus police need to do a better job preventing property crimes, including car break-ins? Absolutely. But what about the student or employee who forgets to lock the car and has a gun stolen? “Oops”?

The Second Amendment says the government can’t prevent Americans from owning weapons; the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that the right to keep and bear arms does not preclude the government from asserting reasonable gun control laws to protect the unarmed public.

Every time an incidence of mass violence occurs, many Americans corral themselves into two camps: one that would arm everyone to the teeth and relax gun laws, and another that wants tighter controls such as background checks and limits on the type of weapons that are considered legal. The right to keep and bear arms is not going anywhere, but its existence doesn’t mean that guns have to be everywhere.

The House bill contains some acceptable provisions, including one that increases penalties for using or displaying weapons while committing a crime, and a measure making it illegal to have a weapon that is easily accessible to a child under age 12 to handle or possess a firearm without adult supervision. But the part that would unwisely allow guns on campus needs to go.

<p>State lawmakers won't be the ones under fire, so to speak, should a shooting occur on a college campus. University chancellors and police forces will be, because they are responsible to ensure the safety of their students, faculty and staff. The Honorables need to let those officials determine the best way to ensure that safety.</p><p>Instead, Republican leaders in the General Assembly seem determined to push through legislation putting more guns on campus, a proposal that University of North Carolina system officials, including <a href="http://www.starnewsonline.com/section/topic71"><b>UNCW</b></a> Chancellor Gary Miller, worry could make their campuses more dangerous places.</p><p>UNC President Tom Ross has asked the General Assembly to remove public universities from a bill that would expand the number of places where concealed weapons are permitted. House Bill 937 also would allow guns into establishments that serve alcoholic beverages – not a smart combination. At least in that case the sponsors would grant restaurant and bar owners the option to prohibit concealed weapons on their property.</p><p>But university officials responsible for the security of tens of thousands of college students and employees would not have that right. The bill, which was on Wednesday's House calendar, would allow guns locked out of sight in cars on all state government property, including public universities and community colleges.</p><p>Ross' objections are shared by other UNC system chancellors including Miller, who issued a statement making his position clear:</p><p>“The potential increase in gun-related incidents on campus is simply not worth the minimal convenience this bill would offer concealed-carry permit holders,” Miller said in a written statement. “Allowing people to store weapons in their cars does not in any way benefit their personal safety while on campus; the idea of people having the time and capacity to retreat to their vehicles to arm themselves during a threat has very little chance of occurring.”</p><p>He's right, as is Ross.</p><p>Moreover, public colleges and universities have thousands of people coming and going each day. Campuses are open to the public, and there is no automatic buzzer that points out the potential troublemakers. Car break-ins are common on college campuses. Do campus police need to do a better job preventing property crimes, including car break-ins? Absolutely. But what about the student or employee who forgets to lock the car and has a gun stolen? “Oops”?</p><p>The Second Amendment says the government can't prevent Americans from owning weapons; the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that the right to keep and bear arms does not preclude the government from asserting reasonable gun control laws to protect the unarmed public.</p><p>Every time an incidence of mass violence occurs, many Americans corral themselves into two camps: one that would arm everyone to the teeth and relax gun laws, and another that wants tighter controls such as background checks and limits on the type of weapons that are considered legal. The right to keep and bear arms is not going anywhere, but its existence doesn't mean that guns have to be everywhere.</p><p>The House bill contains some acceptable provisions, including one that increases penalties for using or displaying weapons while committing a crime, and a measure making it illegal to have a weapon that is easily accessible to a child under age 12 to handle or possess a firearm without adult supervision. But the part that would unwisely allow guns on campus needs to go.</p>